Reigning IPL champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) on Saturday announced that the families of those who lost their lives in the tragic June 4 stampede at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium will now receive a compensation of Rs 25 lakh each. The incident occurred during the team’s grand victory parade after clinching their maiden IPL title, when nearly two-and-a-half lakh fans gathered to witness the celebrations. Overcrowding and poor crowd management led to chaos that claimed the lives of 11 people and left several others seriously injured. The team has now extended this enhanced support as part of its newly launched initiative, RCB Cares.

The franchise had earlier announced an ex-gratia of Rs 10 lakh for each of the families of the deceased. However, amid mounting grief and appeals from various quarters, RCB revisited its decision and raised the compensation significantly. In an emotional statement issued on Saturday, the team management admitted that no amount of financial help could ever heal the loss suffered by the families, but said it hoped this gesture would provide them with some relief in these difficult times. The announcement marks the first official communication from the franchise since the tragedy, and it has been received as an important step toward acknowledging the magnitude of the loss.

Beyond financial compensation, RCB stated that it would continue to explore ways to support the victims’ families and ensure that the memory of those who lost their lives is honored with dignity. The incident had sparked debates over safety measures during mass gatherings and highlighted the urgent need for stricter crowd management protocols in sporting events. As the IPL champions attempt to move forward, the stampede remains a dark chapter in the franchise’s history, one that serves as a painful reminder of the responsibility sports bodies hold towards their fans.